NARI Research and Development Projects
Food Crops Management and Improvement
5. High Yielding Legume (Pulse) Varieties for PNG
NARI is evaluating yield and nutritional quality of grain legumes or pulses for smallholder families in the lowlands and highlands of PNG. Legume seed and foliage are useful to humans as a cheap source of protein and livestock as forage feed. Furthermore, legumes improve fertility of garden soil by adding nitrogen. Cow pea, peanut, mung bean and soy bean are being evaluated for both lowland and highland conditions. In addition, varieties of pigeon pea, garden pea and chick pea are evaluated under highland conditions.
Therefore, the objectives of this project are to; 1) introduce and evaluate germplasm of legume pulses for yield and suitability, 2) develop suitable production practices for adapting and 3) to develop standard protocols and extension materials for seed multiplication and variety maintenance.
Presently field observations and initial evaluations have been completed and work has commenced on advanced evaluation trials for most of these pulse legumes.
Project Funder: Public Investment Programme (PNG Government)
Implementing Programme: Crop and Livestock Improvement
Project Cordination Centre: Highlands (Aiyura) and Momase (Bubia) Regional Centres
Project Duration: Janunary 2007 - December 2009
